Between 2009 and 2010, the prisoner population increased in all states and territories, except New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania. The highest proportional increases in prisoner numbers were for the Australian Capital Territory (38%), Western Australia (8%), Victoria and the Northern Territory (both 4%). The increase (1%) in the national prisoner population was strongly influenced by the growth in the Western Australian prisoner population. While Western Australia accounted for 16% of the national prisoner population in 2010, it contributed 92% to the increase in prisoner numbers between 2009 and 2010. While New South Wales and Queensland prisoner numbers decreased slightly, Tasmania's prisoner population declined by 9% from 2009. (Table 3.5)

CHANGE IN PRISONER NUMBERS, 30 June 2009 to 30 June 2010, by state and territory